Q. Can you really buy a home with "no money down"?
A. Yes... and No. Let me 'esplain - no, there is too much, let me sum up.
There are several loan programs that allow a buyer to purchase a home without making a down-payment. But that doesn’t mean it won’t cost money. It just means none of the money you pay will go toward the house note. Here are the places/times when you can expect to pull out the checkbook
When you make an offer you will need Earnest Money. This amount varies, but expect 1%. So for $200k home, you’ll need to write a check for $2,000. This money may come back to you at closing, but most likely will go to cover some of the items listed below.
Inspections - $250 - $750
Appraisal - $350 - $600
Homeowners Insurance
Lender Fees
Prorated Taxes
Government "because they can" fees
I go over these in detail during my buyer brokerage appointments. Any agent, in any state, should be able to explain how much money you will need to buy a home and when.